Topless feminists protest against Iranian stoning sentence

Topless female protesters were dragged away from an Iranian cultural event in Kiev, Ukraine, as they demonstrated against
the death sentence given to Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani for allegedly murdering her husband.

An Iranian security guard drags one of the protesters away (Reuters)

Activists from Ukrainian pressure group Femen tore off their clothes and shouted slogans against ‘court-sanctioned murder’ during the event at the Ukrainian House convention centre which was attended by hundreds of Ukrainian and Iranian dignitaries.

‘Don’t kill women!’ shouted one as security guards moved to expel the protesters after a scuffle.

Mother of two Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning (AFP/Getty)

The audience at the even later received an apology from Ukrainian officials, who said: ‘At least we don’t have to be ashamed about what we have on display.’

Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani’s case, which Iranian authorities say is under review, has sparked international protests in recent months.

The 43-year-old mother of two is currently imprisoned in the north-western city of Tabriz.

Iran’s prosecutor-general, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejeh, was quoted this week by IRNA – the country’s official news agency – as saying her case is still under investigation, with more time needed to finalise it.

Members of Femen, one of Ukraine’s best-known political action groups, are known for taking their clothes off to draw attention to their causes.

‘Don’t kill women!’ one of the protesters was heard shouting (Reuters)

As well as equal rights for women, they support the introduction of a Western-style government in Ukraine.